The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that over 60,000 ballots cast in the state’s November election for a high court seat are valid and can be counted. This decision, however, leaves open the potential for thousands of other ballots to be excluded. The ruling came after Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, trailed her Republican opponent, Judge Jefferson Griffin, by just 734 votes following an election and subsequent recounts.
The core issue revolved around voter registration requirements. Judge Griffin had challenged the validity of these ballots, arguing that they should be excluded because voters did not include their state driver’s license numbers or Social Security numbers as mandated by a 2004 state law. Despite acknowledging the State Board of Elections’ failure to ensure voter registrations met legal requirements, the court’s majority opinion, penned by Republican Justice Trey Allen, determined that the responsibility for these oversights rested with the board, not the voters themselves.
The court also addressed concerns about military and overseas voters’ ballots, which Griffin had challenged due to the absence of photo identification. It ruled that these voters must verify their eligibility within 30 days to prevent their votes from being discarded. Justice Riggs was recused from the appeal, and the court’s decision saw partial dissent from Justice Anita Earls, the only other Democrat on the 5-2 Republican-majority court. Earls expressed concern that the ruling might unfairly brand 2,000 to 7,000 military and overseas ballots as fraudulent unless proven otherwise.
Justice Riggs, appointed in 2023 by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, criticized the court’s decision to potentially disenfranchise military members and overseas voters, emphasizing its unacceptability. Meanwhile, Griffin’s campaign maintained that issues with ballots from overseas voters lacking IDs, as well as those who have never lived in North Carolina, required resolution. Griffin had initially led Riggs by nearly 10,000 votes when polls closed, but as more ballots were counted, his lead diminished significantly. Over 5.5 million ballots were cast in this tightly contested race.
Impact on Daily Life
The decision by the North Carolina Supreme Court could have far-reaching implications for voters, particularly those serving in the military and living overseas. By requiring these voters to verify their eligibility, the ruling introduces additional steps that could complicate the voting process for individuals who already face significant barriers due to their geographic location. This might lead to lower participation rates among these groups, potentially affecting future elections and their outcomes.
For the general population, the ruling underscores the critical role of the State Board of Elections in maintaining accurate voter registration processes. As election laws evolve, the decision highlights the importance of ensuring that all voters are informed of registration requirements to prevent the potential disenfranchisement that can arise from administrative oversights. This case also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between upholding electoral integrity and ensuring every citizen’s right to vote is protected.